Romanian Deadlift vs Back Lat Pulldown
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Romanian Deadlift more often — 12,198 sessions vs 1,569. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Romanian Deadlift and Back Lat Pulldown and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Romanian Deadlift vs Back Lat Pulldown: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Romanian Deadlift more often — 12,198 sessions compared to 1,569 for Back Lat Pulldown.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Romanian Deadlift and Back Lat Pulldown differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Romanian Deadlift and Back Lat Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Romanian Deadlift | Back Lat Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 12,198 sessions | 1,569 sessions |
How to Do Romanian Deadlift
Romanian Deadlift Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Lower the barbell vertically to just below your knees while keeping it attached to your body.
- 2. As you go down, let your hips move back first and naturally bend your knees.
- 3. When coming up, straighten your knees first and bring your hips forward.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let the barbell come away from your body.
- 2. Keep your arms straight so that your elbows do not bend.
- 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
For a full Romanian Deadlift guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Romanian Deadlift exercise guide.
How to Do Back Lat Pulldown
Back Lat Pulldown Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms back naturally while bringing your shoulder blades together.
- 2. Lower your forearms vertically.
- 3. Pull the bar behind your head.
- 4. Slowly extend your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful as fully extending your shoulders and arms may put strain on your shoulders.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise.
- 3. If you feel discomfort in your shoulders, please adjust the width of your grip on the bar.
For a full Back Lat Pulldown guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Back Lat Pulldown exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Romanian Deadlift or Back Lat Pulldown?
Planfit users log Romanian Deadlift more often — 12,198 sessions against 1,569 for Back Lat Pulldown. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Romanian Deadlift and Back Lat Pulldown need?
Romanian Deadlift needs a barbell, and Back Lat Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Back Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Romanian Deadlift once your form holds up.
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